Venetian blind



1953 P. H. BzscoE ET AL 2,647,572

VENETIAN BLIND Filed Jan. 10, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l 2 ZQJM O/ ATTORNEY 9 1953 P. H. BISCOE ET AL 2,647,572

VENETIAN BLIND Filed Jan. 10, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 \K ii 13 30 60 il INVENTORS J e/ 0400611 zlyc'oe 1* WzZmer .Sloier 3/ 5565 .54 65 dywfhrmm/ ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 4, 1953 VENETIAN BLIND Percival H. Biscoe and Wilmer T. Slater, Jacksonville, Fla.

Application January 10, 1950, Serial No. 137,792

13 Claims. (Cl. 160-115) The present invention relates to improvements in Venetian blinds.

One object of the present invention is to provide an. improvement in that type of Venetian blind in which a group of slats may be tilted independently of another group.

In certain prior art constructions for effecting adjustments in the tilted position of one group of slats with respect to another, separate control or ull cords are provided for adjusting the tilt positions of the slats in different groups. Moreover, in such prior art constructions, no means are provided for adjusting the tilt position of the slats in all the groups simultaneously by a single set of control or pull cords.

In other types of prior art constructions for Venetian blinds, clips or staples are attached at desired points on the slat supporting tapes or webbings of the blind to set the slats above and below the attached clips in different relative tilt positions, whereby the slats above these clips will be opened when the slats below are closed and vice versa. In such constructions, the slats in the two groups cannot be independently adjusted.

' As a feature of the present invention, the Venetian blind is constructed with a single tilt control cord movable into three positions. When the cord is manipulated in a first position, the slats in one group are tiltably adjusted with respect to the slats in another group. When the cord is manipulated in a second position, the slats in the latter group are tiltably adjusted with respect to the slats in the other group and when the cord is manipulated in a neutral position, the slats of the two groups are tiltably adjusted simultaneously. This arrangement ailfords easy and highly flexible control of the tilt of the slats at different levels according to the light admitting pattern desired.

Various other features of the invention are apparent from the following particular description and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective of the upper part of a Venetian blind embodying the present invention and shows the tilt control cord in neutral position to adjust the inclination of all of the slats.

Fig. 3 is a section of the tilt adjusting mecha nism similar to that of Fig. 2, but shows in full lines said mechanism shifted for tiltable adjust ments of the slats in the upper group and in dot and dash lines said mechanism shifted for tiltable adjustments of the slats in the lower group;

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are detail sections of the tilt adjusting mechanism taken along the lines 4-4, 55 and 6-6 of Fig. 3 respectively;

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the shaft parts of the tilt adjusting mechanism; and

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are sections taken along the lines 8-8, 9-9 and llll0 of Fig. 1 respectively.

Referring to the drawings, the Venetian blind of the present invention comprises an upper shutter group or section Ill each including a complement of vertically spaced horizontal slats H and a lower shutter group or section l2, each including a complement of vertically spaced horizontal slats l3. The slats of the two groups In and I2 may be tiltably adjusted separately or simultaneously, as will be described.

The upper slats l I are supported on a webbing which in turn is secured to a top turning rail or controller l5. This rail [5 is substantially in the form of a rectangular frame having end pieces IE, (only one of which is shown) rigidly connected together by rods H. The end rail piece I6 nearest the tilt adjusting mechanism to be described, is connected to a rock-shaft I8 to form a double crank therefor, while the other end rail piece (not shown) is similarly connected to a journal (not shown).

The webbing for supporting the upper slats H from the turning rail l5 comprises two tape ladders (only one being shown) near the sides of the blind, each of said ladders comprising a tape 20 extending vertically across the front edges of these slats and connected at its upper end to a rod I! of the turning rail IS, a tape 2| extending vertically across the rear edges of these slats and connected at its upper end to the other rod ll of the turning rail and cross-tapes 22 for rungs connecting the two vertical tapes together, as for example, by stitches and supporting the individual slats II. The vertical tapes 20 and 2| prevent the slats H from being shifted transversely and the cross-tapes 22 not only support these slats, but transmit motion thereto from the vertical tapes for tilting.

The lower slats I3 are supported on a webbing which in turn is secured to a top turning rail or controller 25. This rail 25 is substantially in the form of a rectangular frame having end pieces 26 (only one of which is shown), rigidly con- .nected together by rods 21.

I The end rail piece 26 nearest the tilt control mechanism to be detapes 32 for rungs connecting the two verticaltapes together, as for example, by stitches and supporting the individual slats l3. The lower vertical tapes 3!! and 3! prevent the slats [3 from being shifted transversely, and the cross-tapes 32 not only support these slats, but transmit mo tion thereto from the vertical tapesfor'tiltingthe slats.

The lower vertical tapes as and 3! "are con-' nected to the rods 21 respectively of the turning rail 25 by narrow or slender tie elements, shown in the form of small ropes 34 and 35 respectively, and extend directly below and in line with the upper vertical tapes 2d and 2! respectively, withthe lower sections of these upper vertical tapes overlapping the upper sections of the lower vertical tapes respectively. The rope 3% is 0011- cealed behind the upper front vertical tape 29, so that each pair of associated vertical tapes 2%) and 3t give the general appearance of one continuous tape except for the overlap, and this overlap enhances the appearance of the tape assembly rather than detracts therefrom.

In order to retain the ropes 34 and 35 against transverse displacement and centrally with respect to the upper vertical tapes 29 and 2i respectively, and to guide said ropes in their tilt adjusting operations, the cross-tapes 22 supporting the upper slots ll are staggered on opposite j.

sides of said ropes, as shown in Fig. 1.

For raising the blind as a whole, hoisting cords 38 (only one being shown) pass through slots 3! in the slats I I and I3 and are secured at their lower ends to a lower weighting rail (not shown). At their upper ends, these cords 35 pass over pulleys (not shown) supported in a blind hanging frame 38 and extend downwardly on one side (on the right side of the blind), where their ends may be grasped to raise or lower the blind or anchor the blind in any adjusted level. The blind raising or lowering mechanism forms no part of the present invention and may be of any well known construction.

For tiltably adjusting the two slat groups Ii! and I 2 independently of each other, the two turn-' ing frames i5 and 25 controlling the tilt of the slats in these groups respectively are arranged and dimensioned to permit the independent turning of these frames without interfering with each other. To that end, these frames !5 and 25 are supported for turning about a common axis in the manner to be described, and are dimensioned so that the frame encompasses the other frame when these frames extend horizontally in neutral tilt position of the slats H and I3, as shown in Fig. 1.

If desired, as far as certain aspects of the -in-, vention are concerned, instead of the rails or frames 15 and 25 being of rectangular shape extending substantially the full width of the blind, the intermediate sections of these frames may take the form of coaxial shafts arranged one inside the other and coaxial with the rock-shafts ['8 and 28.

For supporting the turning rails or frames [5 and 25 on a comm-on axis, the rock-shaft l8 at the side of the blind containing the tilt adjusting mechanism is secured to the end crank-piece Hi of the rail [5 by any suitable means, as for example, by a set screw or pin 65, and is journalled in a pair of spaced angle brackets 46 and 41 secured to the blind hanging frame 38. The rock-shaft I8 is hollow and forms an embracing bearing for-the rock-shaft23 which is secured to the end crank piece 26 of the turning rail 25 by any suitable means, as for example, by a pin 48.

1 At the other side of the blind, the two turning rails 15 and 25 are supported on a common axis by journals (not shown) arranged one inside the other, with the outer hollow journal (not shown) having abearing in a bracket (not shown) similar to the angle bracket 46, and serving as a bearing'for the inner journal.

As a feature of the present invention, there is provided a tilt adjusting mechanism 50 operable to turn the two rails 15 and 25 selectively independently of each other or simultaneously. For that purpose, there is provided a clutch, comprising a driving member 5|, a driven member 52 on one side of said driving member for the rock-shaft l8 and a driven member 53 on the other side of said driving member for the other rock-shaft 2B. The driven clutch members 52 and '53 rotate with their respective shafts i8 and 23, but are free to move axially therealong, while the driving clutch member 5! in neutral position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is supported on a cylindrical bushing 5 loosely embracin the rock-shaft 2B and is slidable therealong for disengagement from either one of said driven clutch members.

To support the clutch members 5:, 52 and 53 for the operations indicated, the inner rock-shaft it has a. cylindrical section 56 of reduced diameter passing through a corresponding bore 57 of the rock-shaft S8 with a free rotative bearing fit, an intermediate section 58 of square cross-section land of enlarged width shouldered against the,

" angle bracket ii and an end cylindrical journal -a remaining section 62 of square cross-section similar in size to that of the shaft section 58 of the rock-shaft 28 and shouldered against said angle bracket, The two square shaft sections 58 and 62 are spaced to retain the bushing 54 snugly therebetween and their diagonal width is equal to the outer diameterof said bushing, so that the end faces of said bushing extend radially outwardly beyond the sides of said shait sections to define chordal shoulders 65. This dimensional and structural relationship between the bushing 5d and the square shaft sections 58 and 52 permits the driving clutch member 51 to slide on to either one of said shaft sections, but blocks the driven clutch members 52 and 53 against slide movement from said shaft sections on to said bushing. The clutch is of the positive type and is desirably made byistamping, although as far as certain aspects oi the invention are concerned, it may be made in any suitable manner. The driving clutch member 51' is shown made of two plate sections "10 and I! held together by rivets i2 and stamped to define conjointly a peripheral groove 13 for the reception of a flexible control slender element shown in the form of a cord M and a hub 15 substantially conforming in length to that of the bushing 54 and provided with a cylindrical bore to embrace said bushing with a free slide fit. The plate sections 70 and H of the driving clutch member are also stamped to form on each side of said clutch member a series of radial teeth or projecting lugs TI.

The driven clutch member 52 is shown stamped from a plate to define a series of radial teeth or projecting lugs l8 adapted to interlock with the teeth H on the driving clutch member 5| and has a square hole or bore 8 dimensioned to receive the square section 62 of the rock-shaft i8 with a free slide fit, whereby said driven clutch member rotates said rock-shaft, but is free to move axially therealong.

The driven clutch member 53 is similar to driven clutch member 52 and comprises a plate which is stamped to define a series of radial teeth or projecting lugs 83 adapted to interlock with the teeth I I on the driving clutch member 5| and which has a square hole or bore 84 dimensioned to receive the square section 58 of the rock-shaft 28 with a free slide fit, whereby said driven clutch member rotates said rock-shaft, but is free to move axially therealong.

A coil spring 85 encircling the rock-shaft section 62 and bearing at its ends against the angle bracket 46 and the driven clutch member 52 re spectively, yieldably urges said driven clutch member against the driving clutch member 5| in interlocked relationship therewith. coil spring 86 encircling the rock-shaft section 58 and bearing at its ends against the angle bracket ll and the driven clutch member 53 respectively, yieldably urges said driven clutch member against the driving clutch member 5| in interlocked relationship therewith.

The tilt control cord 14 passes over the driving clutch member 5| in the groove I3 therein and is fixedly secured to that section of the clutch member located in its upper part in neutral position thereof as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, to cause said clutch member to turn upon manipulation of said cord. This cord 14 may be secured to the driving clutch member 5| in any manner for that purpose. For example, the sides of the driving clutch member 5| at their upper section may be pinched inwardly to grip the control cord 14, as shown in Fig. 10.

The tilt control cord 14 extends downward along the left side of the blind with its two lengths 96 and Si extending one behind the other in accessible position for easy tilt adjusting manipulation.

In the. specification and claims, the tilt control element I4 is referred to as a cord, but it must be understood that this term is intended to be broad enough to cover any other suitable flexible slender element such as a chain.

In the operation of the tilt control mechanism, when the cord "M is free, its lengths 90 and SI hang down vertically, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1. Under these conditions, the driving clutch member 5| will be supported in neutral position on the bushing 54, and the driven clutch members 52 and 53 will be interlocked with said driving clutch member 5| through the pressing action of the coil springs 85 and 86 on said driven clutch members, as shown in Fig. 2.

If, while the cord lengths 90 and 9| hang downward as shown in Fig. 1, either one of said cord lengths is pulled lengthwise, this will partially rotate the driving clutch member 5| in the appropriate direction and through the driven clutch members 52 and 53 engaged therewith, will partially rotate the two rock-shaft square sections 62 and 58 supporting said driven'clutch members in unison'in the same direction. This will partially rotate the two rock-shafts I8 and 28 simultaneously and will cause the two rails l5 and 25 secured thereto respectively to turn. This will cause all the slats I and I3 to turn simultaneously about their longitudinal axes through the tape ladders associated therewith, to admit or exclude light through the blind.

If it is desired, for example, to tiltably adjust the slats II in the upper group II] without disturbing the tilt position of the slats |3 in the lower group I2, the cord I4 is pulled sideways in the direction indicated by the arrow a into the inclined position A, shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 1, to push the driven clutch member 5| towards the right and against the action of the spring into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3. During this operation, the driving clutch member 5| slides off the bushing 54 and away from the driven clutch member 53 and slides on to the square section 62 of the rock-shaft I8. The driven clutch member 52 during this operation slides along the square section 62 of the rock-shaft I8, while maintaining driving engagement with said square shaft section and interlocked engagement with the driving clutch mem ber 5|.

During the movement of the driving clutch member 5| towards the right (Fig. 3) as described, the driven clutch member 53 does not follow along with said driving clutch member, but is held against the chordal shoulders 65 at the end of the bushing 54 and disengaged from the drivingclutch member 5|, as shown in full lines in Fig. 3.

After the cord 14 has been pulled sideways into the inclined position A, shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. l, and the driving clutch member 5| has been thrown out of engagement with the driven clutch member 53, either inclined cord length 96 or 9| may be pulled lengthwise to rotate the rockshaft I8 in the appropriate direction to turn the frame or rail I5 and to tilt the upper slats, II through the tapes 2|], 2| and 22 in unison in proper direction, while the lower slats I3 remain undisturbed. After the inclined cord length 96 or 9| has been pulled lengthwise to effect the necessary adjustments in the tilt position of the upper slats I I, these cord lengths are released. The spring 85 returns the driven clutch member 52 and the driving clutch member 5| into neutral position shown in Fig. 2.

If it is desired, for example, to tiltably adjust the slats I3 in the lower group I2 without disturbing the ,tilt position of the slats II in the upper group II], the cord I4 is pulled sideways in the direction indicated by the arrow b into the inclined position B shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 1, to push the driven clutch member 5| towards the left and against the action of the spring 86 into the position shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 3. During this operation, the driving clutch member 5| slides off the bushing 54 and away from the driven clutch member 53 and slides on to the square section 58 of the rockshaft 28. The driven clutch member 53 during this operation slides along the square section 58 of the rock-shaft 28, while maintaining driving engagement with said square shaft section and interlocked engagement with the driving clutch member 5|.

During the movement of the driving clutch member 5| towards the left (Fig. 3) as described,

7. chordal shoulders 65 at the end of .thabushing. 54 andout of engagement with the driving clutch. member.

After the. cord. T4 has been pulled sideways into the inclined position E"sl'iown inHdot and dash lines in Fig. I, andithe driving clutchmember 5| has beenthrown out of engagement with the driven clutch member .52; either inclined cord. length 90 or 9! may be pulled lengthwise. torrotate-therock-shaft 28..in-the appropriate direction toturn. the frame .orirail. 25 and to tilt the lower slats l3 through the ropes 34 and 3'5andth'e tapes .39, 3| and 32 in unison in. proper direction, while the .upperslats remain undisturbed. lhe release of the cord M willbring-the parts into-the neutral position. shown in Fig. 2,

Whilethe .inventionhas been desoribedwith particular reference to ..a specific= embodiment, it. is to be understood...that.itisnot tosbe limited thereto, but is to be vconstruedbroadl'y and re strictedsolely by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a Venetian blind, two slat. groups at difs ferent levels, eachnoifsaidgroups comprising. a series of slats supported horizontallyin vertically spaced relationship, asingle tilt control member, means supporting said control member for move-@ went into anyone ot twopositionemeans operable upon manipulation of said tilt control meme. berinto-one of said positions for tilting the slats of one group, without disturbing the slats of the other group, and means operable .upon manipulation of said "tilt control member into the other of said positions, for tilting the slat of the latter group without disturbing the sIatsbiUthe-other group.

2.'In a Venetian blind, twoslat groups at different levels, ,eachlof saidgroups- Comprising .a series of slats supportedhorizontally in vertically spaced. relationship, asingle tilt control 'memb'er, means. supporting said control member for movement into anyone .of three positions, means oper-v able upon manipulation of said tilt control mem-. her into one of said positions for tilting. the slats of "one groupwithout disturbing. the slats oflthe other group, means operable upon. manipulation of' said tilt 'control member intoanother oi said positions for tilting thesla'tsof the latterv group without. disturbing the slats of the other .group, and'means operable upon manipulation of. said tilt control member into thethird ofllsaidiposttions for tilti'ngthe. slats of the two groups simultaneously..

3.'In a Venetian. blind, two slat groups at. difr fer'ent levels, each'lof 'lsaidflgroups:comprising-a series of slats, means supporting thesslatstofi the upper group horizontally in verticallyspaoed relationship, and. comprising; a turning rail, Webbing suspended from said turning raiL-andr supporting. the slats of said upper group for tilting movement in. unison about. their longitudinal.

axes upon turning of said raiL-means supporting.

the slats ofthe lower group horizontally ill-V81 ticall'y spaced relationship and comprising a'sec 0nd turningrail, and asecond webbing suspended from said second rail and supporting the slats of the lower group for tilting movement in unison about their longitudinal axes independently of the upper group. upon turningof said'second asecond transmission between. said driving member and said second turning trail for turning said latter rail uponi actuation of said driving member; andmeans .ior selectively.interrupting theconnection between said driving member and .either one of said transmissions while maintaining the connection between said drivingmember and the other of said transmissions.

4.-In. a Venetian blind, twoslat groups at dif-. ferent. levels,.each of said groups comprising a seriesof slats supported horizontally in vertically spaced relationship, andclutch means for tilting the slats of one. groupin unison independently of the other andlcomprising a driving clutch member, a driven. clutch member controlling the tilt position of the slats of one group, a second driven clutch member controlling the. tilt. position-of the'slats of the other group, andmeans for shifting. said clutch. members relatively to effect disengagement of said driving clutch. memberselectively-from either. one of said .driven. clutch. members and engagement of said. driving clutch member with the other driven clutch member.

5. In aVenetian blind, thecombination as described in claim 4, said driven clutch. members flanking said driving clutch member, saidclutch means comprising spring-means. urgingsaid driven clutch members into engagement with: said drivingclutch member, said driving olutch.member being slidable axially in either direction, one of said driven clutch members being slidable axially with said driving clutch member-.in-one of said directionawhilemaintainingits engagement with said driving clutch member, the other of said driven clutch members being slidable axiallywvith said driving clutch member in the other of said directions, while maintaining its engagement with said driving clutch member, and means blocking said'driven clutch members against axial movement in'the directions opposite to the direction in which said. driven clutch membersare slidable.

6. In a-Venetian blind, twoslat groups at dif.- ferentlevels, each ofsaid groups"comprising-a series of slats, means supporting the slats of the upper group horizontally in verticallyg'spaced relationship, and comprising a turning rail;= and webbing suspended fromssaid turning railland supporting: the slats of'said :upper' group; for tilting movement in unison about their longitudinal axes upon turning of said rail, means supporting the'slats of the lower group horizontally in vertically spaced relationship:andcomprisinga second turning .rail, and a second webbing-suspended from said. second.- rail and supporting-the slats of the lower group for'tilting movement in' unison about'their longitudinal axes independently-of the' upper group upon turning ofsaid second rail, a pair of ccncentric-rock-shafts connected to said turning rails respectively, said shafts being arranged one inside the other, a clutch comprising a driving clutch member supported forrotation, and'a pair of 'driven clutch members connected to said rock-shafts respectively "for rotation therewith; said clutch members bein'g relatively movable to eiiect 'drive engagement'oi said driving clutch member'with either one of said driven clutch: members and' di's'errgagement of said"dr'ivi-ng clutchmember from the other driven clutch member, and cord means for moving said clutch 'members relatively to effect disengagement'of 'saiddriving clutch member from either one of said driven clutch members, whilemaintaining engagement 2 between said driving clutch member and the other of aware said driven clutch members andfor rotating said ,driving clutch member.

7. In a Venetian blind, two slat groupsgatdifferent levels, each of said groups comprising a series of slats supported horizontallyin vertical- I 1y spaced relationship, means supporting lthe slats of the two roups for tilting movement about thelongitudinal axesof said slats indepart of'saidinner rock-shaft, a driven-clutch; 'me'mber supportedon a projecting part of 's'a'id inner rock-shaft outwardly beyond said driving clutch member for rotation with said latter projecting rock-shaft part and for slide movement therealong, and a driven clutch member supported on said outer rock-shaft for rotation therewith and slide movement therealong, spring means urging said driven clutch members into drive engagement with said driving clutch member, said driving clutch member being slidable from said first projecting part of said inner rockshaft in either direction on to the parts of said rock-shafts supporting said driven clutch members, means blocking the movements of said driven clutch members on to said first projecting part of said inner rock-shaft and cord means for shifting said driving clutch member away from either one of said driven clutch members towards the other and for rotating said driving clutch member.

8. In a Venetian blind, two slat groups at different levels, each of said groups comprising a series of slats supported horizontally in vertically spaced relationship, means supporting the slats of the two groups for tilting movement about the longitudinal axes of said slats independently of each other and comprising a pair of top turning rails associated with the slats of the two groups respectively, coaxial rock-shafts connected to said rails respectively, one of said rock-shafts being hollow to serve as a bearing for the other rockshaft, the inner rock-shaft projecting outwardly beyond the outer rock-shaft, a clutch for operating said rock-shafts either independently of each other or simultaneously and comprising a cylindrical bushing on the inner rock-shaft just beyond the end of the outer rock-shaft, a driving clutch member supported for idle rotation on said bushing, a driven clutch member supported on a projecting part of said inner rock-shaft outwardly beyond said driving clutch member for rotation with said latter projecting rockshaft part and for slide movement therealong, and a driven clutch member supported on said outer rock-shaft for rotation therewith and slide movement therealong, spring means urging said driven clutch members into drive engagement with said driving clutch member, the parts of said rock-shafts supporting said driven clutch members being square in cross-section and having a diagonal width equal substantially to the external diameter of said bushing, whereby said bushing defines chordal shoulders serving as stops to prevent said driven clutch members from sliding on to said bushing, and cord means the other of said slat groups for tilting the slats for., shifting said driving clutch member away from either, one of said driven clutch members towards the other and for rotating said driving clutch member.

9., In aVenetian blind, two slat groups at different levels, each of said groups comprising a series of slats supported horizontally in vertically spacedv relation, a single tilt control member, means supporting said control member for movement into first and second position, a first transmission between said control member and one of said slat grou ps for tilting the slats of the latter group upon manipulation of said control member while in the first position, a second transmission between said control member and of the latter group upon manipulation of said control member while in the second position, means operable upon movement of said control ruembe'r into the first position for interrupting the second transmission and establishing the first transmission, and means operable upon movement of said control member into the second position for interrupting the first transmission and establishing the second transmission.

10. In a Venetian blind, two slat groups at different levels, each of said groups comprising a series of slats supported horizontally in vertically spaced relation, a single tilt control member, means supporting said control member for movement into first, second and third positions, a first transmission between said control member and one of said slat groups for tilting the slats of the latter group upon manipulation of said control member while in the first position, a second transmission between said control member and the other of said slat groups for tilting the slats of the latter group upon manipulation of said control member while in the second position, means operable upon movement of said control member into the first position for interrupting the second transmission and establishing the-first transmission, means operable upon movement of said control member intothe second position for interrupting the first transmission and establishing the second transmission, and means operable upon movement of said control member into the third position for establishing both of said transmissions.

11. In a Venetian blind, two slat groups at different levels, each of said groups comprising a series of slats supported horizontally in vertically spaced relation, a tilt control cord normally hanging down in neutral position near one side of the slat groups from near the upper part of the upper slat group, a first transmission between said control cord and one of said slat groups for tilting the slats of the latter group upon pulling manipulation of said control cord lengthwise, a second transmission between said control cord and the other slat group for tilting the slats of the latter group upon pulling manipulation of said control cord lengthwise, means operable upon the pulling of said control cord sideways in one direction for interrupting one of said transmissions without interrupting the other transmission, and means operable upon the pulling of said control cord sideways in the opposite direction for interrupting the latter transmission without interrupting the other transmission.

12. In a Venetian blind, the combination as defined in claim 11, said control cord having two depending lengths, said combination including means for tilting in one direction the slats of one or the other group according to the sideways position of said cord, when one of said cord lengths is pulled lengthwise and means for tilting in opposite direction the slats of one or the other group according to the sideways position of said cord when the other of said cord lengths is pulled.

13. In a Venetian blind, two slat groups at different levels, each of said groups comprisin' g a series of slats supported horizontally in vertically spaced relation, a tilt control cord normally hanging down in neutral position near one side .of the slat groups from near the upper part of the upper slat group, a first transmission between said control cord and one of said slat groups for tilting the slats of the latter group upon pulling manipulation of said control cord lengthwise, a spring for normally maintaining said first transmission operatively, a second transmission between said control cord and the other of said slat groups for tilting the slats of thelatter group upon pulling manipulation of said control cord lengthwise, a corres onding spring for normally maintaining said second transmission operatively, means operable upon the pulling of said control cord sideways in one direction for interrupting one of said transmisslons againstthe action of its corresponding spring without interru tin the other transmission, and means operable upon the pulling of said control cord sideways in the opposite direction fol-interrupting "the latter transmission against the action of its corresponding spring without interrupting the other transmission.

PERCIVAL H. BISCOE. WILMER T. SLATER.

' Refe'r'ences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 7 Date 125,473 Metcalf et a1. Apr. 9, 1872 2,148,812 Hollingsworth Feb. 28, 1939 2 231539 Adams et a1. Apr. 8, 1941 2397,7615 Sylvanus Apr. 2, 1946 

